By CHROMÉCLAIR | March 23, 2026 | chromeclair.com
The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) confirmed this month that UK manufacturers must stop placing TPO-containing products on the market from 15 August 2026. Distributors follow on 14 February 2027, after which nail technicians in Great Britain may no longer purchase new stock containing the ingredient — though product already in hand may still be used.
What Is TPO and Why Is It Being Banned?
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) is a photoinitiator that hardens gel polish under UV and LED lamps. In 2023 the European Commission classified it as a CMR Category 1B substance — presumed reprotoxic based on animal studies. The EU ban took effect 1 September 2025; the UK, now operating its own regulatory framework post-Brexit, set its own staggered deadline.
The US Food and Drug Administration has not issued a ban, though some American brands are voluntarily reformulating to maintain a single global product line.
Brand Responses
The GelBottle Inc stated that its entire EU range is already 100% TPO-free, and its UK and US ranges are on track for full transition ahead of the September 2026 deadline. Glossify similarly confirmed active reformulation. Chemistry World reported that brands have largely had adequate lead time since the May 2024 EU announcement to develop alternatives.
The primary replacement photoinitiators are TPO-L (Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate) and BAPO (Bisacylphosphine Oxide), both of which pass current EU and UK safety assessments.
What Salon Owners Must Do Now
BABTAC recommends an immediate inventory audit: check every product label for “Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide” in the INCI list. Non-compliant stock purchased before the deadline may be used until the distributor cut-off, but purchasing new TPO-containing product after 14 February 2027 will constitute a regulatory violation.
CHROMÉCLAIR gel polishes have been formulated without TPO from launch, meeting EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II and complying with the incoming UK ban without requiring any reformulation.
English 
Spanish 
German 
French 
Italian 
Dutch